Monday, 11 August 2014

Jaipur - The Pink City

DAY 2 – JAIPUR

Today we were all set to
explore the Pink City – Jaipur. We started our day with Amber Fort.

Amber Fort is 10 Kms from
Jaipur on the Delhi – Jaipur highway. The fort is on a hill and takes about 10
mins to climb by car. You can also enjoy an elephant ride from the base of the
fort to the entry gate of the fort.

Elephant Ride

Amber fort was built by
Maharaja Man Singhji with editions later by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhji.

Most beautiful part of the fort
is the Sheesh Mahal (Glass Chamber).

Panoramic View of Sheesh Mahal

Window screens in the fort offers
a wonderful view of the Aravalli ranges and the Maota lake below.

Garden at the Maota Lake

Amber Fort is indeed beautiful
and a must visit on your trip to Jaipur. It is one of the best maintained forts
that I have seen. Keep lot of time in hand when you visit Amber. It
is so majestic and vast that 2 hours would seem less.

An artist at Amber Fort

Next to visit was the Jaigarh
fort.

Jaigarh Fort is 1 Km away from
Amber Fort. It is located on the top of a hill and it is said to be build for
security and safety of Amber Fort and the city.

The fort displays the massive
and the World’s largest cannon on Wheels named “Jaivana”. This cannon
is the major attraction of Jaigarh. It is has been used only once in its entire
lifetime.

We skipped Nahargarh Fort as we were already
behind schedule.

Jaivana at Jaigarh Fort

Next we headed to Jal Mahal. It
is a huge palace in the middle of a lake. Entry to Jal Mahal is not permitted.
We took pictures from outside. It looked like a Mahal floating in the middle of
the lake. There are lot of people selling food items, toys etc on the road from
where the tourist halt to catch a glimpse of the Palace.

Jal Mahal

After taking few pictures of
Jal Mahal and enjoying bhutta we moved towards Gaitore Ki Chatriya (Cenotaphs).
Our driver was not aware of this monument and therefore after stopping over few
times for directions we reached Gaitore Ki Chatriya – the royal crematorium. Whenever
a king or a member of his immediate family (Except Queen/ Queens) passes away,
their final rites are done here and a tomb is built in their memory. These Chatriya
are built in pure white marble with beautiful and delicate designs.

Gaitore Ki Chatriya

We were very hungry by now and
therefore we stopped over at a restaurant suggested by our driver for lunch. I
can’t remember the name of the restaurant but the lunch was simple and
fulfilling.

After a satisfied lunch we
headed one of the most famous tourist attraction of Jaipur, The City Palace.

The City Palace is huge and
therefore will suggest that you keep two to three hours in hand for the same.

Panoramic View of City Palace

There is a display of buggies
used by the royals earlier at the entrance gate.

Another Panoramic View of City Palace

There are beautiful galleries
over-looking a courtyard in the City Palace. The one in the photograph above has been
painted like a peacock.

Just next to the City Palace is
Jantar Mantar. I remember going to Jantar Mantar of Delhi in our school trip.
Jantar Mantar showcases the brilliance of Indian Astronomy. It is a touristy
place is very crowded. It has various complex scientific instruments that can
only be understood with a help of a guide. Though on every instrument a detailed
board about its use is displayed but it is always better to have a guide to
take you through the same.

Along the main street of the
city is situated Hawa Mahal with beautifully crafted windows made of
sandstone. Hawa Mahal was built at a time when the women of the royal family
observed a strict purdah. The women would watch the everyday life on the
streets from the windows of the Hawa Mahal without them being watched by
anyone. Hawa Mahal is a sight to watch.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is situated in the
midst of a popular market.

The bazaars of Jaipur have a
timeless appeal – the places where one can shop for exotic blue pottery,
Rajasthani souvenirs, tie-and dye fabrics, lac bangles, semi-precious stones
and gems and footwear popularly known as ‘jutis’. The bazaars also treasure
Kundan and Meenakari work.

We shopped for lac bagles,
jutis for everyone in the house as souvenirs from Jaipur.

We were very tired by the time
we were though with shopping and headed to our hotel to rest for an hour before
dinner.

For dinner we went to Santosh
Bhojnalaya which was walking distance from our hotel. A Rajasthani Thali awaits
us with gatte ki subzi, dal baati and churma. After a heavy dinner seeped in
ghee we hit the bed.

Tomorrow we will bid good bye
to Capital of Rajasthan and head to the Ajmer – Dargah Sharif and the holy city
of Pushkar.